Diaper Bag Thread

Goldsgirl9

Hi ladies, I've seen a lot about diaper bags lately in other posts and thought it would be good to have a post specifically for diaper bags. Please delete if this post has already been started. Mobile search didn't show any.

With black Friday and cyber Monday only weeks away it may be a good time to start looking.

I'll be reusing my Timi & Leslie Charlie Diaper bag. It's still in perfect condition and I loved that it kind of looked like a purse but was incredibly functional. I almost purchased a designer diaper bag instead but decided a new designer purse after using a diaper bag for a year would be just what I needed and it was! Still love my Charlie bag.

Edited for spelling. Stupid iPhone.

elasticheart13

That is an amazing bag! Sigh I wish we had Black Friday sales :P

kimey1

@Goldsgirl9 That's a cool & functional looking bag! Just the kind I'd like and not too bad an investment. Was it light enough to use when you weren't driving too?

Looking forward to more ideas from experienced moms!

thaisac1

Goldsgirl9 said:

Hi ladies, I've seen a lot about diaper bags lately in other posts and thought it would be good to have a post specifically for diaper bags. Please delete if this post has already been started. Mobile search didn't show any.

With black Friday and cyber Monday only weeks away it may be a good time to start looking.

I'll be reusing my Timi & Leslie Charlie Diaper bag. It's still in perfect condition and I loved that it kind of looked like a purse but was incredibly functional. I almost purchased a designer diaper bag instead but decided a new designer purse after using a diaper bag for a year would be just what I needed and it was! Still love my Charlie bag.

Edited for spelling. Stupid iPhone.

That bag looks AWESOME!!!! OMG!
It is so big though, I am afraid I would stuff too much in it?

As of right now I have actually downsized my regular bag because it prevents me from carrying unnecessary stuff. I suspect I would be the same way with a diaper bag; the bigger it is the more I would carry.

But this bag is Da Bomb! Dang!

thaisac1

This is the one I bought this week. I liked it because it can be worn as a crossbody/messenger bag so it won't give me back pain (heavy bags on one shoulder make me hurt); and also it is totally gender neutral so hubby will be wearing it too.
I found it very practical to open/close and get your stuff, and it has a special mechanism to attach to the stroller handles so you don't have to use the stroller storage space for the bag, save it for other stuff. The material is very easy to clean also.
It comes with a sweet changing pad.

I can foresee many years of wear out of this one!

Goldsgirl9

@thaisac1 LOVE it! This is the bag DH was going to get me when I was pregnant with DS. I wanted the blue leather version though. But I decided it can only be used for a certain amount of time. So we agreed that he would get me a designer bag when I stopped using the diaper bag and he did. I ended up with a cross body Gucci that I LOVE and so great with a busy toddler and Gucci sandals that I love as well. You are going to love the Gucci Diaper bag. It's awesome!

misstopsail

I ended up buying this one yesterday (Kate Spade had a big sale!). I wanted something I could throw my wallet in and use as a work bag, rather than constantly transfer stuff around.
The STM+ in another thread gave some good advice about picking your bag.
They mentioned leather is heavier than other materials, and may not be the lightest bag to tote around.
They also mentioned the straps - making sure the bag had thicker straps to save your arms a little pain!


I think this little beauty will be perfect! And can be wiped off if it gets dirty!

brie_and_almonds

I started out with a $30 black messenger bag from BRU because I couldn't imagine spending more than that. It was okay, but didn't hold up. After a year, the zipper had broken on the insulated bottle pocket and I was sick of digging around in it for stuff, so we looked for an upgrade.

The replacement we got is a JJ Cole Modes tote (evidently discontinued? I think we paid $60 for it) and I LOVE it. Lots of pockets inside, and things stay well organized. It can be carried as a tote or cross-body depending on your mood/available hands. We have had it for a year and a half and it is holding up well (though it doesn't have an insulated bottle pocket, but by the time we bought it DD wasn't using bottles anymore anyway). I think with this LO, I will buy a separate bottle insulator that I can hook on to one of the straps (one that comes with its own ice pack preferably).

It looks like this is the equivalent that they have on the market now.

When we have gone on vacation, we have used a backpack instead of diaper bag. I have a hand-me-down diaper backpack from my sister, but I have found that I prefer just a regular backpack.

One thing I learned -- write your name on your changing mat!  DH accidentally left it in the bathroom at a consignment shop and we didn't figure out where we had left it until a month later. The only reason we found it/got it back was because it matched the diaper bag. First thing I did when we got home was write our name on the tag.

thaisac1

Goldsgirl9 said:

@thaisac1 LOVE it! This is the bag DH was going to get me when I was pregnant with DS. I wanted the blue leather version though. But I decided it can only be used for a certain amount of time. So we agreed that he would get me a designer bag when I stopped using the diaper bag and he did. I ended up with a cross body Gucci that I LOVE and so great with a busy toddler and Gucci sandals that I love as well. You are going to love the Gucci Diaper bag. It's awesome!

I tried on the blue version which was super nice but thought this neutral color would match more outfits.
I also tried the older model which also looked great, but it opened with a zipper which was less practical, and was made of canvas which would be harder to clean.
I can't wait to start using it! I may use it as a travel bag in the meantime - it can fit a lot of stuff and it doesn't really scream "I'm a diaper bag".

Goldsgirl9

kimey1 said:

@Goldsgirl9 That's a cool & functional looking bag! Just the kind I'd like and not too bad an investment. Was it light enough to use when you weren't driving too?

Looking forward to more ideas from experienced moms!

@kimey1 I used this bag everywhere, everyday for a little over a year. May be heavy for some but I never minded it. It has a cross body strap, two small straps so it hangs from stroller, small pochette inside for credit cards, etc, insulated bottle holder, changing pad, bag for soiled clothes, etc. For me it was perfect. Most of my purses are large so this was an ideal choice and the price was phenomenal. DH carried it strapped across his body if it wasn't hanging from the stroller. And it comes in other colors. I Was terrified I wouldn't find a diaper bag I liked but I instantly knew this was the right choice the minute I saw it.

Goldsgirl9

@elasticheart13 that's what cyber Monday is for!

Lilpenguin3

As a mama that plans to wear her baby a lot and use cloth diapers I need something that works as a backpack and holds cloth diapers which are bulkier than disposables.

https://bokenessentials.com/

We picked the boken diaper backpack. I can't wait to get it.

K&Elizabeth

PSA: petunia pickle bottom is having a 60% off sale through 11/3 for a lot of styles. I have their backpack style and I LOVE it!

sprocketsngadgets

I have this Danzo bag and I love it. Lots of pockets inside to keep things at least moderately organized and the it zips all the way to the bottom so it's easier to get to everything. It also came with straps that go on our stroller so we can just quickly clip it on so we don't have to carry it all the time. DH also doesn't mind carrying it

ejled

Love your bag @Goldsgirl9 I swear I would mistake it for a purse!

spatter1

misstopsail said:

I ended up buying this one yesterday (Kate Spade had a big sale!). I wanted something I could throw my wallet in and use as a work bag, rather than constantly transfer stuff around. The STM+ in another thread gave some good advice about picking your bag. They mentioned leather is heavier than other materials, and may not be the lightest bag to tote around. They also mentioned the straps - making sure the bag had thicker straps to save your arms a little pain! I think this little beauty will be perfect! And can be wiped off if it gets dirty!

LOVE that bag and saw it on sale last week! I almost bought it but decided I want something in black because knowing me and the way I run my purses into the ground it's going to get very dirty!

NachosAndPeaches

My only advice is get nylon or a kiel fabric. Leather gets so heavy, and when you're carrying some toys, burp cloths, diapers, change of clothes, baby food, and wipes, plus tie wallet, phone, keys, maybe some mom snacks and make up, it gets heavy. Some use cloth but I love that nylon wipes down

dayj11

I bought a lily jade Madeline bag last year with my youngest and I love it. It was my big splurge. It is a bag that I use as a brief case type for work then diaper bag the rest of the time.

Ready4theParty

brenlo42 said:

I started out with a $30 black messenger bag from BRU because I couldn't imagine spending more than that. It was okay, but didn't hold up. After a year, the zipper had broken on the insulated bottle pocket and I was sick of digging around in it for stuff, so we looked for an upgrade.

The replacement we got is a JJ Cole Modes tote (evidently discontinued? I think we paid $60 for it) and I LOVE it. Lots of pockets inside, and things stay well organized. It can be carried as a tote or cross-body depending on your mood/available hands. We have had it for a year and a half and it is holding up well (though it doesn't have an insulated bottle pocket, but by the time we bought it DD wasn't using bottles anymore anyway). I think with this LO, I will buy a separate bottle insulator that I can hook on to one of the straps (one that comes with its own ice pack preferably).

It looks like this is the equivalent that they have on the market now.

When we have gone on vacation, we have used a backpack instead of diaper bag. I have a hand-me-down diaper backpack from my sister, but I have found that I prefer just a regular backpack.

One thing I learned -- write your name on your changing mat!  DH accidentally left it in the bathroom at a consignment shop and we didn't figure out where we had left it until a month later. The only reason we found it/got it back was because it matched the diaper bag. First thing I did when we got home was write our name on the tag.

We have this same bag. LOVE jj cole.

MrsCayEye

I had a timi & Leslie bag and I HATED it. It was so heavy and it fell apart really quickly and it wasn't cheap. Zippers broke, straps wore down, etc. I replaced it with a Kate Spade bag, which I LOVED but I didn't really use it all that long. I hate carting a ton stuff with me, so I usually keep some spare stuff in my trunk or just throw essentials in my regular purse. We also had a diaper dude bag for DH and it ended up just being a daycare bag, we never used it as a diaper bag.

mrstrax

We love our Eddie Bauer backpack style. I just have a wristlet as a purse, so it gets tucked inside and we're good to go. DD would probably still fit inside (she's pretty tiny though) but she thinks it's hilarious to "carry" it on her back by putting her arms through and pulling it on the floor.

AmadorRose

mrstrax said:

We love our Eddie Bauer backpack style. I just have a wristlet as a purse, so it gets tucked inside and we're good to go. DD would probably still fit inside (she's pretty tiny though) but she thinks it's hilarious to "carry" it on her back by putting her arms through and pulling it on the floor.

Would this get too heavy to wear on one shoulder? I'm going to be starting an intense 1-year nursing program about 9 months after LO arrives so I will be lugging my school back pack everywhere. DH has a bum, non-surgical shoulder (and bad knees), so diaper bag duty will probably fall on him when we're together. My biggest concern with a diaper bag is having something he can comfortably carry because he's too stubborn to say anything when he's in pain.

amaniupendo

I had a Kate spade diaper bag that was big and heavy. Retired it quickly.

This time I'm going to just use my longchamp purse or maybe get a bigger longchamp if the smaller one isn't big enough.

You really don't need a big bag, especially if you are nursing.

mrstrax

AmadorRose said:

mrstrax said:

We love our Eddie Bauer backpack style. I just have a wristlet as a purse, so it gets tucked inside and we're good to go. DD would probably still fit inside (she's pretty tiny though) but she thinks it's hilarious to "carry" it on her back by putting her arms through and pulling it on the floor.

Would this get too heavy to wear on one shoulder? I'm going to be starting an intense 1-year nursing program about 9 months after LO arrives so I will be lugging my school back pack everywhere. DH has a bum, non-surgical shoulder (and bad knees), so diaper bag duty will probably fall on him when we're together. My biggest concern with a diaper bag is having something he can comfortably carry because he's too stubborn to say anything when he's in pain.

I think you'd be just fine, I usually just toss it over one shoulder unless we're walking a ways. We got ours in store at Target if he wants to try it on. If it doesn't work a messenger bag style may work for him. Good luck with your rotation!

Ddel1109

I just bought mine its a betsey johnson love the style and it has the best pockets and cutest diaper changing mat

pinottoparenthood

I didn't buy a diaper bag at first and just used my purse, but it got so frustrating digging around trying to find things that I eventually caved.

After lots of research, I went for the Skip Hop Chelsea. Love that it has SO many pockets, both inside and outside, including side pockets for bottles. So easy to stay organized! I also loved that I can wear it cross body, and that it looks more like a purse than a diaper bag. I CANNOT with the cutesy prints.

Still, I've found if I'm just running out for a couple errands, I just bring an extra diaper in my purse. I only use the diaper bag for all-day excursions. Maybe I'll use it more once I have two kiddos!

misstopsail

It came today, and it's amazing.
And also, holy sh*t, I'm having a baby! (Had that moment unfolding the changing pad ).

nicolepineapple

LOL!!  

misstopsail said:

It came today, and it's amazing. And also, holy sh*t, I'm having a baby! (Had that moment unfolding the changing pad ).

Cute KS bag  
I'm a FTM. I was looking at the Ju Ju Be BFF Convertible Bag. I like that it's machine washable and can be worn 3 ways (messenger, tote, or backpack).  The pockets look easy to access and my Type A personality really likes the multiple compartments. There's a short video on Amazon with more info: https://www.amazon.com/Ju-Ju-Be-B-F-F-Convertible-Diaper-Shadow/dp/B003UERREA

thaisac1

nicolepineapple said:

LOL!!  

misstopsail said:

It came today, and it's amazing.
And also, holy sh*t, I'm having a baby! (Had that moment unfolding the changing pad ).

Cute KS bag  
I'm a FTM. I was looking at the Ju Ju Be BFF Convertible Bag. I like that it's machine washable and can be worn 3 ways (messenger, tote, or backpack).  The pockets look easy to access and my Type A personality really likes the multiple compartments. There's a short video on Amazon with more info: https://www.amazon.com/Ju-Ju-Be-B-F-F-Convertible-Diaper-Shadow/dp/B003UERREA




It looks very practical!

AEG84

@nicolepineapple, I'm registered for a JJB BFF. I considered a Petunia Pickle Bottom, which is very similar in design, but they are not wipeable/easily washable and I'd be really worried about stains.

linaboop

I have a pacifier case and bottle cooler from Juju Be - they are great. I purchased them a few years ago when we traveled abroad with my oldest daughter.

I've been using a plaid wool fabric purse from Dooney and Bourke since I had my first baby. It's getting too small for three kids, so I am on the look out for a new one.

I found this article on one of the new "it" bags for celebs- and it's not user expensive!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3304276/The-80-folding-bag-s-conquered-world-Kate-Middleton-s-prized-tote-bag-fast-celebrity-have.html

I had one in a larger size that someone gave me for high school graduation. I am now super bummed that my puppy chewed the handles off For once in my life I was ahead of the times!

cjbwifey2010

I LOVE @goldsgirl9 bag! OMG.

Currently thinking of getting this one. It's a Skip Hop Diaper bag from BRU going for about $65. Love that it's neutral. 

mrstrax

cjbwifey2010 said:

I LOVE @goldsgirl9 bag! OMG.

Currently thinking of getting this one. It's a Skip Hop Diaper bag from BRU going for about $65. Love that it's neutral. 

So pretty and really reasonably priced for a legit diaper bag. And I've heard great things from friends with Skip Hop bags. My only worry would be how dirty the cream stripes would get. I'd say check the washing instructions and if you're comfortable with them, go for it!

AEG84

@mrstrax most (if not all) of the skip hop diaper bags have a wipeable exterior so the stripes won't get dirty

I have a skip hop bag that I got off of a swip swap site for $15 in like new condition. It's nice and neutral so DH won't mind carrying it. I'm hoping someone gets the JJB on my registry, though, so I have something a little cuter!

cjbwifey2010

mrstrax said:

I LOVE @goldsgirl9 bag! OMG.

Currently thinking of getting this one. It's a Skip Hop Diaper bag from BRU going for about $65. Love that it's neutral. 

So pretty and really reasonably priced for a legit diaper bag. And I've heard great things from friends with Skip Hop bags. My only worry would be how dirty the cream stripes would get. I'd say check the washing instructions and if you're comfortable with them, go for it!

Thanks you! Never thought about the cream stripes! I will definitely look into it next time I go to BRU!

efflerc11

I'm wanted the Skip Hop Forma Backpack, but I googled some images and it's so large!!
Is there such thing as a diaper bag that's TOO big? It's like the size of a backpack you would take to school or something. I wasn't expecting that. Maybe the models are just small?

AEG84

@efflerc11, it's definitely close to the size of a normal backpack, slightly smaller. We looked at it in person over the weekend (DH liked it a lot). I really don't think it's too big, but it really depends on the amount of stuff you plan to carry. We would probably use it for times when we'd be out and about most of the day - so, bottles, diapers, change of clothes, toys, etc...

efflerc11

AEG84 said:

@efflerc11, it's definitely close to the size of a normal backpack, slightly smaller. We looked at it in person over the weekend (DH liked it a lot). I really don't think it's too big, but it really depends on the amount of stuff you plan to carry. We would probably use it for times when we'd be out and about most of the day - so, bottles, diapers, change of clothes, toys, etc...

Great. Thank you. It's my favorite so far, but this is my first baby, so I wasn't sure what size to look for and I know I want backpack style.
I think this is the one I want!

kimey1

efflerc11 said:

I'm wanted the Skip Hop Forma Backpack, but I googled some images and it's so large!!
Is there such thing as a diaper bag that's TOO big? It's like the size of a backpack you would take to school or something. I wasn't expecting that. Maybe the models are just small?

Actually, i'm eyeing this one for DH!

NachosAndPeaches

linaboop said:

I have a pacifier case and bottle cooler from Juju Be - they are great. I purchased them a few years ago when we traveled abroad with my oldest daughter.

I've been using a plaid wool fabric purse from Dooney and Bourke since I had my first baby. It's getting too small for three kids, so I am on the look out for a new one.

I found this article on one of the new "it" bags for celebs- and it's not user expensive!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3304276/The-80-folding-bag-s-conquered-world-Kate-Middleton-s-prized-tote-bag-fast-celebrity-have.html

I had one in a larger size that someone gave me for high school graduation. I am now super bummed that my puppy chewed the handles off For once in my life I was ahead of the times!

But long champ has no compartments!!! Everything would just be a free for all mess in there! I love mine, but NOT for a diaper bag

efflerc11

kimey1 said:

efflerc11 said:

I'm wanted the Skip Hop Forma Backpack, but I googled some images and it's so large!!
Is there such thing as a diaper bag that's TOO big? It's like the size of a backpack you would take to school or something. I wasn't expecting that. Maybe the models are just small?

Actually, i'm eyeing this one for DH!

That's why I love it. I think he will carry it too. I've shown him so many and he has rolled his eyes at most of them. Hopefully he likes the Forma.